Lancashire has plenty to offer and this extends to its many walking routes.
If you like to enjoy a Boxing Day walk, you won’t be short of options with longer and shorter routes both available.
Why not walk off the Christmas chocolates and get some fresh air with a winter stroll? To help you choose a route, here’s a list of some of the walks you can enjoy with family or friends over the festive period.
5 of the best Lancashire walks to enjoy this Boxing Day
Hurst Green and Hobbit Hill Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
If you’re looking for a circular trail to enjoy in the crisp air, why not give this 10.5km circular trail a go?
Located in the Forest of Bowland Area Of Natural Beauty (AONB) near Clitheroe, the trail will take you two hours and 46 minutes to complete on average.
It’s open all year round and you can take your dog along with you as long as it is kept on a lead.
This trail’s start and finish point is in Hurst Green and walkers are advised to were waterproof and sturdy footwear.
Along the way you can take in the views of the river and fields and you can find out more about it via the All Trails website.
Pendle Hill and Ogden Reservoir Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail starts in Barley and it’s 7.9km long, taking two hours and 40 minutes to walk it on average.
On this route, you’ll go up to Pendle Hill’s summit where you’ll find a Bronze Age burial site.
It’s open all year and you might find it’s a good idea to wear some appropriate footwear as some of the walking route can get wet and boggy.
Find out more about the route via the All Trails website.
Kent Estuary and Arnside Knott Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a slightly shorter route at 9.3km in length and it can take around two hours and 35 minutes to complete on average.
You can take your furry friend with you as dogs are allowed but they can’t walk here without being on a lead.
Starting from Arnside Railway Station, you’ll walk on a cliff-top path and see “stunning views across Morecambe Bay” as well as the fells of the Lake District.
Appropriate footwear is needed for this trail because rain can make the paths muddy.
Find out more about the route via the All Trails website.
Nab’s Head, Samlesbury Bottoms and Houghton Bottoms
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a circular trail near Blackburn and it’s 7.4km long with an average of two hours completion time.
As it’s a countryside route, you’ll see everything from farm tracks, cottages and mills to riverside views.
You’ll need to wear appropriate footwear as you’ll walk through rougher terrain on this route.
It’s important to note that if you choose to walk this route, you’ll pass active farmland with livestock including cattle so you’ll need to take care as you go, especially if you’re walking any dogs.
Find out more about the route via the All Trails website.
Fair Snape Fell and Parlick Circular
Difficulty: Hard
Find out more about the route via the All Trails website.
This trail is said to be a “challenging” one and take on average just over three hours to complete (three hours and five minutes).
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It’s 9.3km in length and located near Longridge. During the walk, you’ll reach Fair Snape Fell via Saddle Fell.
On the way back, you’ll pass Paddy’s Pole and Parlick - a popular hang-gliding area with views from its summit being described as the best in the area, according to All Trails.
Some of this trail can get wet and boggy, especially in winter or after heavy rain, so wear appropriate footwear to complete it.